The Fig (Ficus Corica) (Anjeer) a drought and salt tolerant tree, suitable for Sindh climate and its benefits.
Fig belongs to mulberry family (Moraceae), of the genus Ficus. Its scientific name is Ficus Carica. It has tropical and sub-tropical origin. Fig tree is a deciduous tree and or fast growing large shrub. The genus Ficus species include from 600-1900, with only few species are considered edible. It is also called a poor man’s food. It is used both as fresh and dried.
According to FAO-2006 fig was harvested from 427,000 ha. Producing more than one million metric ton per year. Turkey produced 26% of world fig. Top six countries account for 70%. Egypt, Iran, Greece, Algeria and Morocco. The U.S.A rank 8 with 4% of global fig production in 2005. 87% of the fig producing countries sold as dried form.
In 2012 the world production of fig was 1,031,391 tonnes. In which Turkey produced 274,535 tonnes, Egypt 171,062 tonnes, while other countries on the top of the list are: Algeria, Morocco, Iran, Syria, and U.S.A. Brazil, Albania and Tunisia. Total area under fig in Pakistan is 162 ha. And it production is 741 tons (fresh fruit). In 2007-08. Pakistan imported dry fig 217 tons. Worth Rs. 4.5 million. It is imported from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
Fig tree grows length of 7-10 meters (23-33 ft.) with smooth white bark. It can reach to 50 feet height. It fragrant leaves are 12-25 cm (3.9-7.1 in.) across, deep lobed with 3-5 lobes. Leaves contain tricomes (Pubescence), which is particularly rough on adaxil (upper) leave surface.
The complex inflorescence consists of hollow flesh structure called the Syconium, which is lined with numerous uni-sexual flowers. The flowers itself not visible outwardly, as they bloom inside the infrudescence, although commonly referred as fruit. The fig is actually the infructescence or scion of the tree, known as false fruit or multiple fruit, in which flowers and seeds are born.
It is a hollow ended stem containing many flowers. The small orifice (Ostiole) visible on the middle of the fruit is narrow passage, which allow the specialize fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes) to enter the fruit and pollinate the flowers, where after the fruit grow seeds. Flowers are Staminate (male) and Pistillate (female). Male flower which produced pollen are found in fig near the leave Apex.
The edible fruit consist of mature Syconium containing numerous one-seeded fruit (druplits). The fruit is 3-5 cm (1.2-2.0 in.) long with green skin. The ripening turn purple or brown. There are three types of edible fruit. The persistent or common fig has great horticulture important. In which gig have all female flowers and does not need pollination for fruiting. The fruit can developed through parthenocarpic means. The other type of fruit is: Caducous (or Smyrne) and Intermediate or San Pedro.
In Sindh we have grown Brown Turkey successfully. It does not need pollination. It flowers are incapable of Fecundation so designated as mule flowers. It is proved that the entire common fig like Brown Turkey can produce fertile seeds if flowers are pollinated. The other varieties of common fig are: Dottato and Fraga. In Brown Turkey the fruit produced by parthenogenesis (without pollination), do not possess true seeds.
The other fig varieties are: Black Mission, Croisic, Ventura, Conadria, Kadota, Alma, Celeste, Champagne, Green Ischia, Hunt, Jelly, Su Goid, LSU purple, Magnolia, O’Rourke, Osborn Prdific, Pasquale, Tema, Tiger and Ventura.
The Brown Turkey has gained the Royal Horticulture Society’s Award of Garden Merit. In Sindh it produces two crops per year. It needs 300 chilling units to break it dormancy. Sindh has 100-550 chill units and 3700-4500 heat units. With average 300 chill units. It can stand 15-20 0F. Brown Turkey fruit is produced abundant of medium to large fruit, skin is purplish brown, and flesh is pink amber, good flavor. Best when fresh.
The variety is suitable for warm climate. Fruit has small to medium Ostiole or eye, it helps in fruit development by increasing it communication with environment. It is good for both fresh and process. In Sindh we use it as fresh fruit. It is available mid-May to December, but it skin is fragile often scars during the growing period from the leaves rubbing against the fruit. Fresh fig can store 6-7 days or can be stored in sealed bag or containers for 6 months.
Fig has milky sap (laticifer). The spa of the fig’s green part is an irritant to human skin. The latex produced by un-ripe fruit or leaves. It contains compound Furocoumarins, 5-methoxypsorolen (5-MoP) which can elicit cell-mediated allergic reaction. It left un-treated it might lead to severe allergic eruption all over the expose parts. It contain protein degrading enzyme “Ficin”, which is similar to papain a meat tenderizing enzyme.
Sindh soil is sandy loam, fig grow well in this soil. It can tolerate drought but mature plant need 20-50 gallon/tree, but it thrive in large range of soil. It can tolerate pH 5.5-8.0. It can grow in alkaline soil. Its roots are shallow without taproot, can easily reach 3 time diameters of the canopy. The wood of the fig is low density and break easily. In Sindh tree get Sun-Scald, so we used white latex paint the tree. It is salt tolerant and can grow in coastal and brackish water.
We used compost as an organic fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer. No more than 0.2 to 0.5 kg nitrogen applied per tree per year. It is only fertilizer need regularly to the orchard. 200 gram nitrogen / tree in spring and autumn is required in a balanced N.P.K. mixture. Adequate potassium is needed for fruit development. If internode distance (stem length between leaves) is more than 75 mm means soil need less nitrogen. If nodes are unduly elongated root pruning, root restriction and bark reversal may require.
We give top pruning so harvest becomes easy. Although in Develop countries uses Trellising in a “Cordon” production like grapes, so it gives two crops per year. The maupulation time of bud break by Tim mining pruning, control of irrigation and use of hydrogen Cynamide. Early maturation and abscission of dried fig permit harvest before rains. Ethaphone also use for this purpose. Rain cause fruit to split. Tree is cut in fall or winter depends upon whether the crop is desired in summer or fall.
Tree propagation is done by cutting but other methods like grafting, budding and air-layering also use. While seeds are rarely used for propagation. In Sindh we used propagation by cutting of dormant wood taken in February. In one season tree grow 1 meter (3 feet). Plant space is 6-25 ft. (1.8-7.5 m) a part, depending upon the cultivar and soil fertility. Spacing 13 x 13 ft. (4 x 4 m) allow 260 tree/acre and 625 tree/ha. And 260-435 plants/acre. We get 60,000 -70,000 cuttings (of previous wood) from an acre of nursery planting. Fig tree can yield 1.25-3.7 t/ha. In Sindh fig tree is propagated by chip or patches budding or by whip side inlay or Cieft grafting. While grafting to the rootstock of other species has been observed.
In Sindh fig tree is dwarf frit is harvesting by hand and sold as a fresh fruit but mostly fig are harvested as dried crop. In this case fruit are dried on the tree, then harvested by collecting from the ground when it became dry it fell on ground. This process of collection repeated 2-3 weeks intervals. After fumigation it is either Sun-dried or dehydrated to 17% moisture or less. Then marketing depend upon it varieties like Calimyrna sell as dried form while Kadota and Adriatic are sell as a paste and Mission fig used as dried as well as paste or juice. Fig skin color fresh, firmness or dependable, maturity and ripening needed for fresh fruit marketing.
In post-harvest technology of fig need optimum temperature -1C oC to 0C 0C (30 0Fto 32 0F) optimum relative humidity will be 90-95%. Fig is sensitive to Ethylene and cause softening and decay if temperature kept at 5 0C( 41 0F) or higher controlled atmosphere with 5-10% oxygen and 15-20% carbon di oxide are effective, help in reduction in ethylene production, so fresh fig shelf life increase 3-4 weeks in controlled atmosphere. Dried fig can be stored 6-8 months.
Fig is attacked by many pest and diseases like. It has problem of nematode, leaf spot, thrip, twig dieback, fruit rust, various fungus , e.g (Botrytis Cinerea), Cercospora leaf spot fungus, thread blight, smut, Fussarium spp., Aspergilus niger fungus , and post-harvest infection are: soft rot, Alternaria rot, black mold rot, and various yeast and bacteria. In dried fig also get Aflatoxin- A carcinogenic, need monitoring, but it incidence is very low. It is also attack by fig Mosaic disease. It is also attacked by mealy bug , birds, and squirrels.
Fig contains diverse phytochemicals include Poly-phenols such as Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, (=) – Catechin, (-)- epicatechin and rutin.
Fig lower in calories 100 gm. fruit provide only 74 calories. Fresh fig 1.0 medium (50 gm.) provides 37 calories. It contains fiber 6%, vitamin B6-4%, copper, manganese, potassium and pantothenic acid are 3% each. Dried fig are rich source of (>20% of daily value ,DV) of dried fiber, and essential minerals, manganese, calcium, potassium, while vitamin K and numerous minerals are in moderate content ( according to USDA). 100 gram of dried fig has 249 calories.
Benefits of fig.
• Fresh fig is a source of polyphenol flavonoid, anti-oxidant such as carotene, tulein, tannins, chlorgenic acid etc. these anti-oxidant value comparable to that of apple at 3200 umol/100 g (Trdex equivalent).
• Fig contains vitamin A, E and K and phytochemicals which protect the body against cancer, diabetes, degenerative disease and infection.
• Fig contains chlorogenic acid, which help in lowering blood glucose level and helps in type ii diabetes Mellitus.
• It contains B.complex like Niacin, pyridoxine, foliate and pantothenic acid, these co-factors helps in metabolism o protein, fat and carbohydrate.
• Dried fig is a source of minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and zinc. 100 gram dried fig contains 680 mg of potassium, 162 mg calcium, and 2.03 mg of iron. Potassium helps in controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is required in the production of red blood cell, iron is required for red blood cell formation as well as cellular oxidation ( Source. USDA. National Nutrition Database).
• For many years it is used as coffee substitute.
• Fig contain proteolytic enzyme “Ficin” .This help in digestion and used in pharmaceutical industry. Because it contains high alkalinity it help the people want to quit smoking.
• Fig contain chemical Psoradens is used to treat skin pigmentation disease like tanning in the Sun.
• It alleviates painful haemorrhoids.
• The leaves of fig plant lower Insulin and triglycerides.
• It built immunity, prevent hepatitis, and cure dysentery, anemia, hyperacidity and ulcer.
• Due to fiber it reduce weight, prevent stroke and lower cholesterol.
• Fig is rich in Benzyl aldehyde- Is a n anti-cancer compound and reduce abdominal and colon cancer due to fiber in it.
• It is used for the treatment of venereal disease and sexual dysfunction, indigestion, piles, cough, bronchitis and asthma.
• It contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, phenol and reduces chances of coronary heart disease.
• It helps in strengthen bone due to calcium in it.
• It prevent for macular degeneration.
• It helps in whooping cough and asthma.
• Relieved stomach ache and improve intestinal condition.
• It contain alkaline and reduce pH.
• It helps in lowering the fat and sugar.
• Process fig is used making pie, jam, jellies, preserver, used in pudding, cake, assorted baked goods.
Some people are allergic to fig, they must avoid to take it otherwise it may cause vomiting, diarrhea and itching or may cause bleeding in the digestive track.
Conclusion.
In the develop world lot of research is going to study the fig pollinator wasp, because many fig varieties require wasp pollinator for development of the fruit. And also on Etiology and management of dieback fig mosaic. Integrated Pest Management, Phenology of fig tree, maintaining post-harvest qualities and cultivar suitable for commercial purpose. Some work is under process in Punjab and they have developed “Black-Ball” variety suitable for Punjab. In Sindh M.H.Panhwar (Late) and Farzana Panhwar done some work in Sindh at Panhwar Fruit Farm, with the help of Scientist and Researchers from the U.S.A. They used develop low chill cultivar. We successfully grown Brown Turkey a low chill variety from U.S.A in Sindh. This show no nematode problem .It is used as fresh fruit and not suitable for dried form. Although it is suitable for drought and salinity condition in Sindh, but more research is needed on post-harvest technology of fig. Fig has large number of benefits and it is easy to grow and more economical.